Method and apparatus for producing slide fasteners



Dec. 22, 1970 GRAF 3,548,482

- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SLIDE FASTENERS Filed May 29, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig] 86 Z 4 n 70 26 o 7 767 0 O 34 //7//// Alf/7U! Graf /5 72 lNl/lzN'lUR.

Dec. 22, 1970 R F 3,548,482

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR'PRODUCING SLIDE FASTENERS Filed May 29, '1968 V Fig.3

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.6

United States Patent 3,548,482 METHOD AND APPARATUS FoR PRODUCING SLIDE FASTENERS Arthur Graf, 12s W. 45th St., New York, NY. 10036 Filed May 29, 1968, Ser. No. 733,009 Int. (:1. mm 5352,323 19/04 US. Cl. 29410 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the manufacture of slide fasteners and more particularly to the high speed production of zipper chains.

Zipper chains are presently produced by machines to which flat metal wire stock and flexible tape are fed in perpendicular directions. Power operated, reciprocating metal working tools such as dies, cutters and clinching devices sequentially form the zipper locking elements from the stock, sever the elements from the stock and clinch the elements to the beaded edge of the flexible tape. A ratchet-type feed mechanism intermittently advances the metal stock in timed relation to the power operated reciprocating metal working tools while the flexible tape is advanced by means of a pulling roller engaged therewith in order to properly space the zipper locking elements clinched to the tape bead. A second ratchet drive mechanism has been utilized to intermittently ad- Vance the tape immediately following the clinching of a locking element thereto. A brake mechanism therefore is necessary to hold the tape stationary while the locking elements are being clinched thereto.

In view of the high speed production of zipper chains by machines as aforementioned, mechanical power has been applied through a main power shaft to the ratchet drive mechanisms for advancing the metal stock andflexible tape at a relatively high rotational speed such as 3000 rpm. Accurate feeding of the stock and spacing of the zipper elements on the tape has therefore been a problem. Furthermore, the zipper chain produced has not been a completely or satisfactorily finished product in view of burrs and sharp corners on the zipper locking elements. Accordingly, it has been necessary to perform a deburring operation on the zipper chains by separate means. Quite often, the zipper chains are deburred by passing the chain between roller brushes. In addition to the separate handling of the zipper chain for deburring purposes with the additional expense and loss of production time incident thereto, deburring has not been as complete as desired.

An important object of the present invention therefore is to produce a zipper chain which is completely deburred without any handling or operations after leaving a single machine. This objective is achieved by the present invention without any sacrifice in production speed that would normally result by adding a deburring operation which would also tend to aggravate the stock feeding and zipper element spacing problems aforementioned. In fact, by virtue of the present invention, the apparatus for producing the zipper chains may be somewhat simplified by elimination of the spacing control brake mechanism usually associated with the advancement of the tape as aforementioned.

In accordance with the present invention, a zipper chain manufacturing machine of the type aforementioned is modified by replacement of the ratchet drive for the tape puller and the stock feed roller by continuous, high reduction ratio drives causing continuous advancement of the tape and feeding of the stock at relatively low speeds. Advancement of the tape by a continuously driving tape puller is permissible in view of the low advancement speed and the tape flexibility. Furthermore, accurate spacing of the locking elements on the tape is enhanced by interengagement of the locking elements between coining gear rollers rotatable with the tape pulling roller. The coining rollers function, primarily however, to eliminate burrs and sharp corners from the locking elements substantially at the location at which the pulling force is applied to the flexible tape by the pulling roller. The advancement speed of the tape is controlled by a high reduction gear assembly drivingly connected to the main, high speed power shaft from which the metal stock feed mechanism is driven. The stock feed mechanism may also have associated therewith, a motion cancelling drive connection to the main power shaft in order to momentarily halt movement of the stock when engaged by the various power operated metal working tools.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat simplified side elevational view of a zipper chain producing machine modified in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified kinematic illustration of the drive mechanism associated with the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view through the zipper element deburring portion of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of a zipper chain showing a locking element deburred in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the locking element as seen from a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 6-6 in FIG. 3. Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates in side elevation, a typical zipper chain making machine generally denoted by reference numeral 10. In this type of machine, the main body frame 12 supports adjacent its upper end, a high speed drive portion 14 to which mechanical power is applied and through which a feed mechanism 16 is driven in order to feed metal wire stock 18 into the machine from any suitable source (not shown). The metal stock is adapted to be engaged by various metal working tools reciprocably driven by the main drive portion 14 in order to form zipper locking elements and sever such elements from the metal stock 18 while being clamped onto the beaded edge 20 of a flexible tape 22 fed to the machine substantially at right angles to the metal stock 18. The metal working tools which form the zipper locking elements 24 are mounted within the reciprocating head portion 26 of the machine overlying the die bed portion through which the flexible tape 22 is advanced and to which the metal stock 18 is fed. As is well known in the art, the metal working tools include a punch to form the projection 28 adjacent one end of each zipper locking element 24 as more clearly seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, cutting tools for removing metal and severing the locking element from the stock and crimping tools for deforming the leg portions 30 of the locking element about the beaded edge 20 of the flexible tape.

Also associated with the machine as shown in FIG. 1, is a tape feed bracket 32 extending from the main body frame 12. The bracket 32 rotatably mounts a tape pulling roller 34 engaged with the flexible tape. The pulling roller is drivingly connected to the main drive portion 14 of the machine as will be hereafter explained in further detail in order to exert a pulling force on the tape and thereby cause its advancement at the proper speed upwardly through the die bed past a working station at which the locking elements 24 are clinched or crimped onto the beaded edge 20.

As more clearly seen in FIG. 6, the flexible tape 22 is entrained about the upper portion of the tape pulling roller 34 with the locking elements 24 overhanging one side of the roller 34 so as to be engaged between a pair of closely spaced coining gear rollers 36 and 38. The coining gear 36 is secured by fasteners 40 to the tape pulling roller while the coining gear 38 is rotatably mounted in close spaced relation thereto and in a common rotational plane by any suitable means such as the extension bracket 42 shown in FIG. 1. The coining gear rollers 36 and 38 are provided with teeth 44 spaced apart by surface hardened profile surfaces 46 arranged to engage opposite longitudinal sides of the locking elements 24 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 in order to deform the metal and thereby form chamfered edges 48 on the locking elements. The sharp corners 48 on the locking elements as shown in FIG. 3 are thereby eliminated or deburred. FIG. 3 shows the approach and departure of the locking elements to the coining station between the teeth of the coining gear members 36 and 38 which are properly spaced from each other in order to engage both sides of the locking elements for deburring purposes. In view of the engagement of the locking elements between the coining gear members, rotated in synchronized relation to the pulling roller, accurate advancement of the flexible tape at the desired rate of linear movement is insured even though there will be some instantaneous elongation of the flexible tape material which would otherwise adversely affect the rate at which the tape is advanced past the crimping station where the locking elements are clinched to the beaded edge of the tape. A minimal amount of elongation will periodically occur inasmuch as there will be a very short momentary halt in the continuous movement of the tape past the crimping station as each locking element is clinched onto the beaded edge of the tape. In this regard, it should be appreciated that the tape is continuously advanced by the tape pulling roller rather than intermittently advanced as in prior art devices. However, such advancement of the tape is effected at a very low speed timed to accurately space the locking elements on the tape without intermittent stoppage of movement as in the case of prior art arrangements.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main drive portion 14 of the machine includes a main drive shaft 50 adapted to be rotated at a relatively high speed such as 3000 r.p.m. or higher for high speed production purposes. The main shaft is accordingly drivingly connected to the reciprocating carriage 52 associated with the metal working tool unit 26 through a suitable eccentric crank 54 and connecting rod 56 kinematically illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, the power operated metal working tools are engaged with the metal stock 18 in proper timed relation to intermittent feeding of the stock by the stock feeding mechanism 16. The main shaft 50 may be drivingly connected to the feed mechanism through gearing 58 and 60 for example. The main shaft 50 is also drivingly connected to the tape pulling roller 34 diagrammatically shown in FIG. 2 at a high reduction drive ratio of any requisite value. Accordingly, a timing belt drive 66 and a connecting belt drive 68 drivingly connect the main drive shaft 50 to the input of a reduction gear assembly 70, the output of which drives the tape pulling roller 34. Thus, the roller 34 imparts a continuous pulling force on the tape for advancement thereof at a relatively low speed.

As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 2, the feed mechanism 16 includes a housing 72 for a high reduction gear assembly similar to the gear assembly associated with tape puller 34 in order to impart rotation to a stock feed roller 74 advancing the stock 18 along its feed path 76. Thus, the feed roller 74 is continuously rotated at a relatively low speed corresponding to linear movement a distance substantially equal to the length of a zipper element during each revolution of the main shaft 50. Unlike the ratchet type feed mechanisms heretofore employed for stock feeding purposes, there is no halt in rotation of the feed roller 74 during overrun movement of a ratchet pawl since the reduction gear assembly is a continuous, positive drive mechanism which continuously rotates the feed roller while the forming tools engage the stock. It is essential however, that movement of the stock 18 be momentarily halted while the stock is engaged by the metal working tools since the metal stock does not have the flexibility of the tape 22 and would therefore buckle if continuously advanced even at a substantially lower rate of movement. Therefore, any motion imparted to the stock by the feed roller 74 is cancelled in accordance with the present invention for a period limited to the operational phase of the reciprocating carriage movement when the metal working tools engage the metal stock.

As shown in FIG. 2, movement is imparted to the drive housing 72 in order to cancel any motion of the stock during a predetermined phase of the operating cycle for the reciprocating carriage 52. Various motion cancelling mechanisms may be provided for this purpose. In the embodiment illustrated, the housing 72 is slidably mounted for reciprocatory movement in proper timed relation to the reciprocatory movement imparted to the tool carriage 52, by means of a feed cancelling drive connection including the crank 84 and connecting rod 86. The angular relationship and dimension of the crank 84 relative to the cranks 54 and 62 is selected so as to produce the requisite reciprocatory movement of the housing 72 which when added to the movement imparted to the stock 18 in the feed direction will produce the desired amount of feed during each cycle. In the opposite direction, movement of the frame 72 will be equal and opposite to any movement imparted to the stock by the feed roller during that phase of the operating cycle when the metal stock is engaged by the tools. Thus, the stock 18 is fed at a slightly higher rate of linear movement than the tape 22 to compensate for the period during which the stock movement is cancelled. Further, a suitable extensible drive connection 78 is provided between the main drive portion 14 and the reduction gear assembly to accommodate reciprocatory movement of the drive housing 72.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a method of producing a slide fastener by intermittently feeding metal stock in timed relation to metal forming operations through which locking elements are formed and severed from the metal stock and clamped to a flexible tape advanced in timed relation to said feeding of the metal stock, the steps of: exerting a continuous pulling force on said flexible tape for advancement thereof at a lower rate of linear movement than the feeding of the metal stock; and coining the locking elements clamped to the flexible tape substantially at the location at which said pulling force is exerted.

2. The method of claim 1 including the step of preventing feeding movement of the metal stock while the locking elements are being clamped to the flexible tape.

3. In a machine for producing a slide fastener having means for forming and clamping locking elements to a flexible tape and means for advancing said tape, apparatus for removing sharp corners from the locking elements comprising coining means driven in synchronized relation to the tape advancing means for engagement with the locking elements.

4. In a machine for making slide fasteners having means for respectively advancing metal stock and flexible tape and means for clamping locking elements formed from the metal stock onto the tape, means for deburring the locking elements comprising coining means engageable with the locking elements following clamping thereof to the tape, and positive drive means for continuously driving the coining means simultaneously with said advancement of the tape at a lower rate of linear movement than said advancement of the metal stock.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said tape advancing means includes a tape pulling roller, said coining means including a metal deforming gear member mounted by the roller for rotation therewith.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said stock advancing means includes a feed housing, a feed roller engaged with the stock and reduction ratio drive means mounted by the housing for continuous rotation of the feed roller in timed relation to said advancement of the tape and means rendered operative during clamping of the locking elements for displacing the housing to cancel movement imparted to the stock by the feed roller.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein said stock advancing means includes a feed housing, a feed roller engaged with the stock and reduction ratio drive means mounted by the housing for continuous rotation of the feed roller in timed relation to said advancement of the tape and means rendered operative during clamping of the locking elements for displacing the housing to cancel movement imparted to the stock by the feed roller.

8. In a machine for making slide fasteners, feed means for advancing stock, power operated means driven in timed relation to said advancement of the stock for forming locking elements therefrom, anld tape advancing means for displacing a flexible tape in operative relation to the power operated means, said tape advancing means including a tape pulling roller engaged with the flexible tape, and continuous drive means connected to the roller for imparting continuous movement to the flexible tape at a lower speed than the rate at which the stock is advanced.

9. The combination of claim 8 including means driven in timed relation to the power operated means and connected to the feed means for cancelling movement of the stock when engaged by the power operated means.

10. The combination of claim 9 including deburring means connected to the roller and engageable with the locking elements carried by the flexible tape.

11. The combination of claim 3 wherein each of the locking elements is clamped to the tape by said forming and clamping means prior to engagement by the coining means.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said coining means is mounted on the tape advancing means.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said tape advancing means includes a tape pulling roller in engagement with the tape in spaced relation to the locking elements, said coining means including a separate deforming member mounted by the tape pulling roller in meshing engagement with the locking elements carried by the tape.

14. The combination of claim 3 wherein said coining means is mounted on the tape advancing means.

15. The combination of claim 3 wherein said tape advancing means includes a tape pulling roller in engagement with the tape in spaced relation to the locking elements, said coining means including a seperate deforming member mounted by the tape pulling roller in meshing engagement with the locking elements carried by the tape.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,144,638 l/l939 Reiter 29-207.5X

THOMAS H. EAGER, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 29--207.5 

